Posts Tagged ‘PBS’

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Einstein’s Birthday & Pi Day on March 14th!

March 12th, 2013

Hi! It’s Tuesday, March 12, 2013 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Albert Einstein, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist of The Theory of Relativity, was born on March 14, 1879. March 14th also happens to be world Pi Day. I thought you might like to explore some websites devoted to Einstein, his famous equation E=MC2, and Pi Day…

Recommended Websites:

See Below

Age Range: Varies (with parental supervision)

Brief Bio of Albert Einstein 

This website, designed for kids, offers a brief biography of Albert Einstein that will give some context to the other websites recommended below.

PBS: That’s My Theory! 

PBS uses a game show format (similar to “What’s My Line?”) to help you become familiar with notable scientists, including Einstein. Several questions are presented and answered by “guests.” Select which guest’s answers reveal the real Albert Einstein.

PBS NOVA: Think Like Einstein 

PBS presents Einstein’s special theory of relativity as an online, animated activity that will require you to think about the same things Einstein had to consider (such as velocity and the speed of light) to develop his theory. Then answer some questions by reasoning out the solutions.

PBS NOVA: Einstein’s Big Idea

Watch this almost 2-hour movie presentation that dramatizes the story behind Einstein’s revolutionary special theory of relativity represented by the equation E = MC2.

One Minute Physics: E=MC2 

Watch a one-minute video explanation of Einstein’s equation, E=MC2.

Coincidentally, Einstein’s birthday on March 14th, is also “World Pi Day!” The mathematical symbol Pi (the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter or 3.14159…) is celebrated on March 14 at 1:59 PM (3.14159…)! 

You’ll find a brief history of Pi and some free Pi activities at the Exploratorium’s website.

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“Liberty’s Kids” History Videos!

February 28th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Thursday, February 28, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Liberty’s Kids

Age Range: 7-14 (approximately, with parental supervision)  

History comes alive with these free, animated, educational videos about the experiences of two young teens during the American Revolution and the political, social, and cultural forces that resulted in the birth of a nation. Liberty’s Kids was an Emmy-winning television series (40 episodes, about 23 minutes in length each) that was originally broadcast on PBS to teach kids about the origins of the United States of America.

At this website, you can watch 10-minute clips from the various episodes that feature animated characters experiencing the major events in the Revolutionary War and Colonial America. The two main characters, Sarah and James, are from different backgrounds and have different opinions as they contend with issues like slavery, taxation without representation, loyalty, and independence. The presentation is educational as well as entertaining with the use of celebrity voices such as  Sylvester Stallone (as Paul Revere), Ben Stiller (as Thomas Jefferson), Billy Crystal (as John Adams), and Dustin Hoffman (as Benedict Arnold).

When you get to the site you’ll see some featured video clips. Use the menu tab at the top of the page and click on “Browse Videos” to see all of the episode-clips that are available including:

  • Boston Tea Party
  • Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
  • Battle of Lexington and Concord
  • Benjamin Franklin
  • Common Sense
  • The First Continental Congress
  • Benedict Arnold
  • And More!

These free, 10-minute clips contain a good deal of information. The entire series is available on DVD for purchase, but you don’t have to buy a thing to enjoy these terrific video clips that may springboard your kids to want to learn more.

Bonus: PBS created a companion website to the Liberty’s Kids show with free games and activities to extend learning. You’ll find it here: http://libertyskids.com/

Note: This is a YouTube site with random ads and comments from viewers. Parents, as always, should preview the site and supervise Internet access.

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Free Marine Science Videos, Lessons, & More!

November 27th, 2012

Hi! It’s Tuesday, November 27, 2012 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Jonathan Bird’s Blue World

Age Range: All (This was designed for students in grades 6-8, but there is something of educational value and entertainment for everyone, with parental supervision.)

Jonathan Bird’s Blue World website is an offshoot of a PBS television series by the same name. The website offers free “webisodes” of the underwater science/adventure series online for free WITHOUT advertising – and it’s all accompanied by free study guides and classroom lessons and activities based on National Science Standards (that can be tweaked for home use by families).

The idea is to generate interest in protecting the underwater world by increasing awareness of this realm and the creatures that live there. The episodes and learning materials are packed with information and presented in a way that makes marine biology fun to learn.

When you get to the site, you’ll see a sliding display that highlights current features. (I watched a fascinating, 7-minute video on “Sea Snakes,” one of the ocean’s most venomous critters.) Use the menu at the top of the screen that includes:

*Watch Webisodes – View about 75 different videos covering topics such as coral spawning, dolphins, learning to scuba dive, shark biology, crustaceans, venomous fish, sea turtles, stingrays, killer clams, sea cows, whales, and much more. You’ll also find “Extras” that include interviews with cameramen, videos on tools of the trade, etc. While all of the webisodes offer downloadable study guides, in the “Curriculum Based” section, you’ll find six videos (so far) that also offer free, downloadable lesson plans.

*Behind The Scenes – Meet underwater cinematographer Jonathan Bird and the rest of his award-winning science and research team. Peruse a “Photo Gallery,” read “Sea Stories” about incidents that occur behind the scenes, and explore “Other Resources” that contain links to educational websites.

*For Educators – Access the free Study Guides and Lesson Plans. Learn about National Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and find a direct link to the “Curriculum Based” webisodes.

This is a terrific learning resource that the whole family will find educational and entertaining!

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Summer Reading Programs with Freebies for Kids!

June 20th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Wednesday, June 20, 2012 and time for Language Arts at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Websites:
See Below

Age Range:  5-14 (about grades K-12, with parental supervision)

Summer is here and many companies offer National Summer Reading Programs where kids can earn prizes for reading books! Here is a list of some of the popular programs offered nationwide.
 
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading
Read 8 books, record them in a free “Reading Journal,” and earn a FREE book! The journal is provided for free in a pdf, and you’ll find a downloadable kit (pdf) of fun activities and teaching tips, too.

Half Price Books: Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program 
Read 15 minutes a day for one month. Once you’ve read 300 minutes, turn in your completed reading log to get a $5.00 credit toward purchasing books. If you reach 600 minutes, you’ll get a chance to win a $20 credit toward purchasing books. Kids 14 & under are eligible.

PBS Kids: iVillage Summer Reading Sweepstakes 
Join this summer reading program and get a chance to win $1,000!  iVillage, PBS KIDS, and Scholastic offers 6-weeks of daily emails with literacy-building tips and activities.  Includes book suggestions and discounts, free downloads of PBS KIDS shows, and a daily chance to win prizes.

Pizza Hut’s Summer Break with Book It! (Reading Program & Sweepstakes)
From June 15th to August 15th, Kids who were in grades K-6 in the 2011-2012 school year, and who meet the challenge to read 5 books, can enter to win a summer fun prize package. The site also includes games, activities, and printables for teachers and parents that encourage literacy.
 
Pottery Barn Kids: Summer Re ading Challenge 
From now through August 22nd, read all the award-winning books on one of Pottery Barn’s recommended lists and qualify for fun prizes.

Scholastic’s Summer Reading Challenge
Select the books you want to read and read as many minutes as you can.  Log your minutes to enter the grand sweepstakes, and complete weekly challenges for a chance to spin the prize wheel!

Don’t forget that many public libraries offer Summer Reading Programs where kids can win prizes too.  Contact your local library for more information.

 

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Cinco de Mayo – The Battle of Puebla & More!

May 4th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Friday, May 4, 2012 and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!

Note: The following websites may be slow to load due to the volume of traffic they’ll receive over the Cinco de Mayo holiday.  if you experience difficulty, just be patient and try again or wait and try visiting the sites during ”off” hours.  Hope that helps!  :)

Recommended Website:
The Orange County Register: Cinco de Mayo

Age Range: 9 and up (with parental supervision)

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo and at this ad-supported website you can take a short, virtual tour of the historic events that the Cinco de Mayo holiday commemorates. 

When you get to the website just click on the “start” button to begin the presentation. If this motivates you to want to learn more, you may enjoy these ad-supported websites as well:

Cinco de Mayo Lesson
Get a  free lesson, printable worksheet, and crossword puzzle.

History.com
Enjoy a series of video clips about Cinco de Mayo and Mexican history, heritage, and culture. You’ll find information on the Aztecs, Mayans, and Montezuma and Cortez. You can also watch video clips explaining how salsa, refried beans, and tequila are made.

PBS Interactive Timeline of the History of Mexico
This is a terrific timeline highlighting important events in Mexico’s history.

 

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Marshmallow Peeps Virtual & Video Factory Tours!

March 30th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Friday, March 30, 2012 and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!
 
Recommended Website:
MarshmallowPeeps.com

Age Range:  All (with parental supervision)

Marshmallow Peeps are everywhere this time of year. Ever wonder how they’re made?  At this website you can take a virtual tour through text and photographs of how these traditional Easter-basket candy confections are manufactured.
 
While the tour is offered by the Just Born Company that makes Peeps, you’ll find better photos of their Peeps manufacturing process if you CLICK HERE.

PBS offers an educational VIDEO TOUR of Marshmallow Peeps manufacturing that features planning, production, and more. To see it, click on the link below:

VIDEO TOUR OF PEEPS FACTORY!

 

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